I appreciate the Times' acknowledgement that I am "well-informed about school issues." Clearly, I have done my homework and will continue to do so after I am elected.

As one of only seven members, I believe I can make a personal impact on the decisions of the School Board and, most of all, on the education of Pinellas County school children. I am a 20-year resident of the county, a successful business owner and an active volunteer on behalf of youth recreation. I will bring real-world, common-sense leadership to the board, an independent voice and a diversity of thought. What's more, as a marketing professional and trained communicator, I have some special expertise and unique qualities to offer the school system.

I have no personal ax to grind, no political agenda to push. Because I have never worked for this or any other school system, I will be unafraid to challenge the people and policies at the district level when it is warranted. I will be a leader for education -- not just a cheerleader for the administration.

I also intend to be a de facto lobbyist in Tallahassee, leaning on friends in the Legislature to take a special interest in Pinellas County schools. However, leaders don't point fingers or wait for others to act. Once we restore credibility and establish an honest dialogue with the community at large, then local leaders should have the personal and political courage to be advocates for education.

My decisions as a board member will be based solely on what is best for the children and teachers in the classroom, particularly those students who come from disadvantaged families and those teachers who toil in underperforming schools.

I would consider it a personal privilege to serve on the board and embark on a pro-active, child-centered agenda behind which our community can rally. I would appreciate your vote on Sept. 10.

* * *

Matthew Patrick Sullivan Sr.: Candidate for Pinellas County School Board District 4

I respect the Times and your one vote as I would any voter with an interest in the educational success of children. I would however like to comment on your statement, "Matthew Sullivan appears motivated mainly by a grudge against a former principal." I don't see how I could have a grudge against someone who is no longer here and has no influence or importance.

I resent that I had to present 10 individual cases of child abuse to the governor. This is the first investigation ever initiated by parents. As a result, this "Elementary Principal of the Year," is no longer employed by this county.

I resent that after 12 years as our superintendent, Julian Howard Hinesley, after achieving only 62 percent graduation rate, is rewarded with a $225,000 contractual salary for this record of failure. If a bus driver left school with 100 students and returned with only 62, would he receive a raise or a lift out of town?

I resent that the School Board would designate Mr. Hinesley (who did not support school choice) to negotiate, design and implement this massive program with no fixed costs and needs a translator to explain.

I resent that more than $200-million will be spent, with not one dollar allocated to assist teachers, parents, and children in the classroom.

The board needs to require that all children get a diploma, that's what we are paying $700-million a year for. "God bless the child that has his own."

* * *

Tiffany Todd: Candidate for Pinellas County School Board District 4

Thank you for the opportunity to reply to your editorial regarding the upcoming elections. The St. Petersburg Times is to be commended for its attention and coverage to the most important issue facing us all -- how to best educate our children.

Of course, I cannot agree with your assessment of this race, nor do I think the knowledgeable voters of Pinellas County will agree with your recommendation.

Our county's citizens are concerned about the new era of the end of forced busing and the beginning of the choice plan and all its implications. Our school district is entering a difficult time and needs real leaders with a strong grasp of current issues, insight into the School Board's past decisions and a vision for the future.

In this respect, I am very proud to carry the Todd name and will carry on the legacy of public service my family has given our community and the state of Florida for the past 45 years.

I urge voters to support a candidate they can trust to make the critical decisions we need. As a registered nurse, I have been disciplined to critically think and to make life and death decisions as a daily occurrence.

I intend to fulfill the promise of my campaign and pro-actively involve us all in the continuing push for excellence in education. I am honored to have received the endorsements of the PBA and CLEARPAC. Now I seek the voters' endorsement. Please vote for Tiffany Todd on Sept. 10.

* * *

Lynn A. Isaacson: Candidate for Hillsborough County School Board District 6

I would like to say thank you to the St. Petersburg Times for not endorsing me. The endorsement of a newspaper does not rank very high on my list of campaign musts. As a conservative Republican, I didn't expect your endorsement. By not endorsing me, you also have not endorsed parents. I am a parent with three children in the Hillsborough County public school system. I do not take running for School Board lightly. My reason for running is very simple, I love my children.

As a parent, I live the issues every day, from a poor transportation system, to not enough textbooks or toilet paper, and teachers spending their own hard earned money for supplies for the classroom. I finally decided to try to make a difference. I know I'm not the only parent with concerns. So if being a concerned parent isn't a compelling case for my candidacy, then as parents our viewpoint really doesn't matter, does it?

* * *

Melissa Hernandez: Candidate for Hillsborough County School Board District 6

Re: Editorial endorsement of eight-year incumbent Carolyn Bricklemyer.

The St. Petersburg Times may endorse a Hillsborough County School Board member who voted to turn off the cameras during the audience participation portion of public School Board meetings, but the public will not.

What you call "ably" serving, I call shameful neglect. Over the past eight years, the Bricklemyer Era has seen school employees across the district go without disinfectant and other essential supplies, students suffer in crowded classrooms without teacher's aides, tutors or textbooks, and teachers spending their hard earned paychecks on purchasing supplies for their students. Who exactly is she "ably" serving? The answer is clear: Just look at her campaign finance report. It is a laundry list of architects and administrators who already contract with, or hope to contract with the district. Taxpayer dollars in exchange for contracts and jobs, Hillsborough County Citizens see the pattern and they want a change!

Your editorial is correct about the incumbent having more years of community service on her side: She's 20 years older than me! However, I have served as a volunteer in Hillsborough County throughout my adult life. I have volunteered for the Missing Children's Help Center in Brandon, the Shriner's Hospital, the V.A. Hospital, Temple Heights Christian Church and the Faith Children's Home. You may not have known, because you were busy checking my spelling, but, I also served as a member of the District 6 Health and Human Services Board, lobbied in Tallahassee for foster children, individuals with developmental disabilities and senior citizens, and at the tender age of 18, I was on the news for leading a group of 400 homeowners and subcontractors in a successful fight to close a loophole in the law that had previously left them vulnerable to unscrupulous general contractors.

Finally, I would like to say that I do grasp the issues because for the past three years I have been working directly in public schools all over the county, as a substitute teacher and bilingual aide. I have been listening to parents, teachers, students and citizens all over Hillsborough County who are tired of being ignored. While Carolyn Bricklemyer continues to boast of her strategic plan, I believe voters are longing for strategic action. This is why I long to serve on our School Board, to demand accountability, to ensure equality, and to provide a voice for my fellow Hillsborough County Citizens!

* * *

William 'Bill' Stieh: Republican candidate for state House District 51

Thank you for your positive words regarding our campaign. I certainly understand not endorsing Leslie Waters. She was a member of the Legislature that eliminated our "Back to School" tax holiday while giving a $262-million tax break to corporations. How many children and families suffered while she was on the special committee overseeing the Department of Children and Families? Whom does she represent? One of her two challengers is only 22, has no real life experiences and no family to support. Coming from a long line of career politicians, wouldn't he seem to be more of the same? "If we always vote as we always have, we'll always get what we've always got!" Let's make a change.

I have a unique opportunity to be a true voice of the people and not the interests of a special few. I have funded my campaign by individuals and small businesses. I have not accepted any contributions from PACs or large corporations. Unlike both my opponents, I am proud of my campaign and I'm not beholden to special interests. That freedom allows me to fight the good fight and do all I can for all Floridians. We must have quality, affordable health care and prescription coverage, quality education and responsible stewardship of our precious resources. I'm a small businessman, inventor and former boat captain. I'm married and my three sons are 9, 8 and 8 months. Please vote William "Bill" Stieh on Sept. 10.

Back to Opinion

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright

From the Times
Opinion page